Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Gillian Robertson prediction, odds, picks for UFC 303

The UFC 303: Pereira vs. Prochazka fight card rolls along as we turn our attention to the next fight with a betting prediction and pick. Ranked strawweights will meet for a high-level tilt as No. 14 Michelle Waterson-Gomez takes over number 15 Gillian Robertson. Check out our UFC odds series for our Waterson-Gomez-Robertson prediction and pick.

Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-12) enters this fight with a UFC record of 6-8 since 2015. After a hot start to her UFC tenure, she has had a bit of a setback, winning just one fight of her last seven. After a close split decision against Luana Pinheiro and a tough defeat against Marina Rodriguez, she hopes to get her mojo back in this match. Waterson-Gomez is 5’3″ with a 62-inch reach.

Gillian Robertson (13-8) comes into this fight with a 10-6 record since 2017. She is currently on a hot streak, having won three of her last four fights and finishing them all. With nine wins to her name and focused on the top placings, Robertson will look to improve her position with a win here. She is 6 feet tall and has a reach of 63 inches.

Here are the UFC 303 odds, courtesy of BetOnline.

UFC 303 Odds: Michelle Waterson-Gomez-Gillian Robertson Odds

Michelle Waterson-Gomez: +165

Gillian Robertson: -190

Over 2.5 rounds: -175

Under 2.5 rounds: +145

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Why Michelle Waterson-Gomez Will win

Michelle Waterson-Gomez has looked good in her last few fights and her physique at 38 could be as good as it’s ever been. Although she no longer fights with the same snap at the ends of her punches and kicks, she is still an extremely technical fighter and throws her punches with great technique. Over her last few losses we have really seen her power and chin emerge as one of her biggest strengths and it will be hard to discount her at any point in this fight.

Waterson-Gomez is a natural karate striker and she will have the advantage in stringing together cleaner combinations. Her opponent is a boxer first and foremost, so Waterson-Gomez could find great success using her kicks to the head and body. She is also the more active fighter in terms of movement, so we should see her dance around the cage as she moves around her opponent. Michelle Waterson-Gomez will have to be sharp with her offense and perfect in defending takedown attempts. She is very adept at defending herself on the ground, but she may not want to test her opponent’s deadly BJJ.

Why Gillian Roberston Will win

Gillian Robertson is a master of jiu jitsu and her nine submission wins are certainly something to consider. She is constantly working on her striking game and does a great job getting close to the fence and landing her dirty boxing. She lands 43% of her takedown attempts when deep, but Robertson does a great job of pinning her opponent against the cage and delivering hard strikes from bad positions. When she is finally able to score the takedown, Robertson is extremely crafty at chasing down submission attempts and defending her ground position while doing so.

The biggest focus in this fight for Gillian Robertson will be closing the distance and limiting Waterson-Gomez’s striking attack. If she can control the distance and pin her opponent along the fence, this should eventually lead to a takedown where she can execute her submission grappling. Waterson-Gomez cannot be underestimated for her wrestling on the ground, so Robertson should waste no time gaining control and finding the mount or back.

Finalist Michelle Waterson-Gomez-Gillian Robertson Prediction and choice

This should be an entertaining fight between two established veterans in the division and with both of their rankings on the line, we should be able to expect a competitive matchup. This is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup and both women will be at the top of their game when performing their specialized disciplines.

Waterson-Gomez is looking for a much-needed win after falling short in her last three matches. Her skills are certainly there, but it’s becoming clear that her striking speed isn’t what it used to be. It’s going to take a vintage performance with her doing most of her damage with the kicks to come out victorious in this victory.

Gillian Robertson is the rightful favorite here and she will be confident to win this fight after her recent winning streak. Her jiu jitsu is just on another level and with how determined she is in chasing down takedowns I expect her to eventually succeed. Let’s get this win with Gillian Robertson at UFC 303.

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Final Michelle Waterson-Gomez-Gillian Robertson Prediction and pick: Gillian Robertson (-190)